Couple dead in apparent Worcester murder-suicide

Police are investigating a possible domestic murder-suicide at 1 Thistle Lane, where two people were found dead Thursday afternoon. Police identified the couple as Ellen and Vincent Maher.

By Steven H. Foskett Jr. TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Police are investigating a possible domestic murder-suicide at 1 Thistle Lane, where two people were found dead Thursday afternoon.

Police said a 42-year-old man called them around 4:30 p.m. and when officers arrived he met them outside and informed them that his mother and stepfather appeared to be deceased inside the home.

Upon entering the townhouse-style home, police discovered a 71-year-old female and a 70-year-old male, both of whom were unresponsive. A paramedic arrived and pronounced the pair dead about 4:30 p.m., according to a press release.

Police identified the couple as Ellen and Vincent Maher and both lived at 1 Thistle Lane.

Several people had arrived as detectives and police officers went in and out of the home. As one woman got out of a sport-utility vehicle and rushed toward the door, a detective told her she could not go in. She embraced another family member, who was covering his face with his hands. He was later driven away in a detective's car. A Toyota Prius with its driver's side door still open was parked in front of the home.

Family members were later taken from the scene to Police Headquarters where they provided interviews, according to police.

Crime scene investigators arrived soon afterward. Police said the deaths appeared to be a murder-suicide of a domestic nature, but stressed the investigation was continuing.

Some neighbors wandered into their front yards and stopped while walking by the home.

Jenifer O'Malley and her husband, John O'Malley, an assistant principal at Doherty Memorial High School, said the Mahers are a nice, quiet couple.

"They're great people," Mr. O'Malley said. "They're great neighbors."

Mr. O'Malley said Mr. Maher was quite active and still played in a seniors softball league.

"He's in great physical shape," Mr. O'Malley said.

The O'Malleys both said they did not see or hear anything out of the ordinary Thursday afternoon.

One neighbor said she only knew the couple in passing, and another neighbor said she knew Mrs. Maher from church. A neighbor who did not give his name said Mr. Maher was retired from Saint Gobain for a few years. He said he had not seen the couple for a few days.

The home was considered a crime scene Thursday evening, and detectives were canvassing the neighborhood.